TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A national construction trade group has unveiled a new national plan to address looming workforce shortages as firms add jobs after a lengthy downturn.

The Arlington, Va.-based Associated General Contractors of America released the plan Thursday during a visit to the Washburn Institute of Technology in Topeka.

Group spokesman Brian Turmail says Kansas was chosen as the release site because of a state-funded program that offers high school juniors and seniors free, college-credit technical training in high-demand fields. Turmail says the association wants to nudge other states to do the same thing.

The plan outlines measures to make it easier for schools, construction firms and local construction associations to establish career and technical training programs. It also calls for significant reforms to federal career and technical education programs.